Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the debut of its Luxury Collection brand in Russia, with the addition of Moscow's Hotel National.

Built in 1903 by Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, the hotel has undergone an extensive renovation of all guest rooms, suites and public areas in a move designed to restore the hotel to its original splendour. Each of the 206 guest rooms feature furniture inspired by the hotel's nineteenth century décor, spacious bathing and dressing areas, plus state-of-the-art technologies including plasma TVs and DVD players. In addition, the hotel's 56 historical suites are furnished with authentic Russian antiquities, including vases, lamps, mirrors, statues and paintings.

The second renovation phase is scheduled to commence in 2010 and will include underground parking, new spa and fitness facilities and two Presidential suites. Future renovation plans envisage the addition of a courtyard restaurant as well as a redesign of the hotel's renowned Alexandrovsky bar and Moskovski restaurant with a new haute cuisine culinary concept. The full restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

In becoming part of the Luxury Collection brand, the Hotel National will be joining the Hotel Danieli, Venice, Italy; Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills, California, US; and The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona, US.